New display of recommended reading opens in QE II

A way with wordsby Jeff Green

Some of the favourite books of archivist Bert Riggs are featured in a new display in the QE II.

Anyone with a hankering to curl up with a timeless page-turner is in luck. The Queen Elizabeth II Library has mounted a new showcase of literary favourites.

The display is located on the third floor of the library and currently features 10 authors and some of their finest work chosen by Bert Riggs of the Archives and Manuscripts Division.

The idea for the exhibit was hatched by Linda White, a colleague of Mr. Rigg’s in the archives and a member of the Library Promotions Working Group.

“What we’re trying to do is highlight some great books that people  especially students  should read,” she explained. “When I was a student here at Memorial, there was a similar display featuring books students should have read before we graduated.

“Last fall we had the top selections of Richard Ellis, the former university librarian who recently stepped down. Now we have Bert’s choices. Next, we hope to get the president or a student leader or a staff member. We’re just looking for good interesting books to feature that would be relevant to university students.”

The current display was unveiled in early January and will run until March, Ms. White added. Then a whole new exhibit will be mounted. The Gazette hopes to feature those top books in future issues.

Here are 10 of Bert Riggs’ favourite authors and 10 of their best books

Annie ProulxBrokeback Mountain “… [this] short story tells the original tale in a language and landscape that leave one wondering how so much could be said in so few words.”

Milan KunderaThe Unbearable Lightness of Being “The story of an incorrigibly womanizing young doctor and the woman who loves him, together with that of one of his mistresses and the man who loves her …”

Michael ChabonThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay

Alan HollinghurstThe Line of Beauty

Muriel SparkThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

David MacfarlaneThe Danger Tree “… you will never think about war or family or memory quite the same way again.”